Extensible support element for protection canvas

ABSTRACT

This extensible support element for carrying and tensioning blinds, shades or screens, and also for opening and closing same, is also applicable to tents, swimming-pool covers, greenhouse shades and miscellaneous shelters, and comprises toggle elements wherein the pivot means interconnecting the two links of the toggle is shifted by a same value and in the same direction in relation to the middle point of the links according as it is desired to impart a curved or straight configuration to said support element.

United States Patent Sternis 1 Mar. 4, 1975 [541 EXTENSIBLE SUPPORT ELEMENT FOR 1.712.836 5/1929 M1115 135/4 R PROTECTION CANVAS 2,567,424 9/1951 D'Azzo 160/69 3,221,568 12/1965 Ross 248/277 Pierre Sternis, 17, Avenue Paul Vailland Couturier, 94 Vitry-sur-Seine, France Filed: Oct. 9, 1970 Appl. No.: 79,426

Inventor:

Foreign Application Priority Data Nov. 6, 1969 France 69.38620 US. Cl 135/4 R, 160/69, 4/172.12, 74/521 Int. Cl. A45f 1/16, E04f 10/06 Field of Search 160/69, 78, 342; 135/4; 248/277; 74/521 Primary E.\'aminerPeter M. Caun [57] ABSTRACT This extensible support element for carrying and tensioning blinds, shades or screens, and also for opening and closing same, is also applicable to tents, swimming-pool covers, greenhouse shades and miscellaneous shelters, and comprises toggle elements wherein the pivot means interconnecting the two links of the toggle is shifted by a same value and in the same direction in relation to the middle point of the links according as it is desired to impart a curved or straight configuration to said support element.

8 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures FATENTED 4W5 sum 3 or g PAIENIEM 1% saw u gr 4 EXTENSIBLE SUPPORT ELEMENT FOR PROTECTION CANVAS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an extensible support element for protection canvas or the like.

Support elements of this general type are intended as a rule for carrying and tensioning blinds, shades or screens, and also for opening and closing same. However, the present invention is applicable to articles differring considerably from conventional blinds and screens, as will appear during the following description.

At present, blinds, shades and screens are divided into various groups according to their inherent structure and also their aesthetic appearance.

Of course, the simplest blind is the awning-blind consisting of a simple rectangular canvas wound on a roll or bar and having its front or outer edge provided with a socalled tension rod carried by a pair of lateral arms constituting the support elements pivoted to the wall to which the blind is secured. Blinds of this common type are relatively unaesthetic and scarcely original in design. Moreover, the canvas cannot be tensioned without taking special cares or using additional devices, so that it acts as a sail in case of strong wind.

Another type of blind is the so-called invisible-arm blind wherein the arms are pivoted substantially intermediate their ends and concealed under the canvas; thus, during the blind opening movement these arms extend parallel to the plane of the canvas which, as in the preceding type, is wound on a roller. The inconveniences of this type of blind are substantially the same as those observed with awning-blinds.

Another, more original and aesthetic type of blind is the socalled basket or hood type wherein the canvas is carried by bows perpendicular to the unfolding direction and pivoted at their ends to the house wall or like surface.

Blinds of this type have a satisfactory appearance and are generally much appreciated by users, moreover, their sail effect is moderate. However, their cost is relatively high due to a more complicate manufacture. Finally, when closing the blind accordion-like folds are formed between the bows which tend to retain rainwater and accumulate dust, thus producing unsightly marks in the bottom of the folds.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the essential object of the present invention to avoid these inconvenience by providing a extensible support element for a protection or blind canvas which can be used with all types of blinds, canopies and more generally all covers, hoods and shelters in which the weather protection is obtained by using a folding canvas, such as camping or other tents, swimming-pool covers, greenhouse shades, sports-grounds cover or roofing, playground covers and the like, said extensible support element being of the type comprising a series of pivotally interconnected toggle links, said element being characterized in that the common pivot pin or like means interconnecting the two links of at least one toggle is shifted by a same value and in the same direction in relation to the middle point of said two links.

Thus, in the extended position this support element deviates at the level of each toggle having an eccentric pivotal connection, whereby a development of any desired configuration, and notably the rounded or arched contour of a so-called "basket" or hood" blind, can be imparted to each support element and to the canvas carried thereby.

Advantageously, each pair of links of said toggles are provided with several pivot points permetting the desired variations in the configuration of the extended support element.

A specific application of the present invention re sides in a blind of the so-called round hood" type comprising at least two parallel support elements interconnected at the level of the pivotal connection between one toggle and the next one by horizontal rods supporting the canvas, the latter being secured along its front or outermost edge to the foremost rod and adapted to be wound at its rear or innermost edge on a roller carried by the wall or like supporting surface, to which on the other hand the rear end of each support element is pivotally attached.

Thus, a round, hood-type blind is obtained wherein the canvas is not sewn to the bow-forming bars since these are held by the extensible links. Therefore, this blind combines the advantageous features of awning-blinds with those of the basket or hood blinds without having their inconveniences.

If lateral panels are associated with the blind, they are secured along their upper edges, to the upper pivot means interconnecting successive toggles, said upper edges further receiving therethrough, in the area extending between said pivot means a cord kept under permanent tension so as to impart a better appearance to said lateral panels when the blind is not fully extended.

According to another application of the present invention, this support element is incorporated in the frame structure of a habitable tent. This frame structure comprises an extensible support element consisting of at least three, and preferably four, five or six toggles, wherein all the pivot means interconnecting their links are shifted by a same value and in the same direction in relation to the middle point of said links, whereby the development of the support element takes place along a circular arc and impart thereto, after the ends of the support element have been joined together at a common point, a spider configuration wherein the number of arms corresponds to the number of toggles constitutings same, saiad support element being disposed horizontally and receiving on the one hand a set of rods each secured at one end of the tip of one of the spider arms, said rods being interconnected at the other ends so as to constitute a frame structure converging upwards and adapted to be covered with a cap-forming canvas or cloth and on the other hand a base comprising at least three legs for supporting the assembly, the support element being furthermore adapted to receive a vertical canvas or panel.

According to a further application of this invention a tent frame comprises a plurality of extensible support elements carried by the upper end ofa vertical pole and adapted to be extended radially in relation to said pole so as to describe circular arcs disposed in vertical planes until their free end bear on the ground, so that they constitute together a frame structure of substantially semispherica vault or dome configuration adapted to receive a suitably shaped canvas.

Moreover, this support element may be incorporated in a roof or cover structure of swimming pool, greenhouse or other similar areas to be covered or protected against weather conditions. In this case, the vertical pivot pins of at least some of the toggles of the support elements are shifted by a same value and in the same direction in order to cause said element to extend along a curved path, at least two support elements being arranged parallel to each other and interconnected by horizontal parallel rods carried by the upper pivot means from one toggle to another, said rods supporting the cover or canvas, preferably of translucent material, of which the front edge is secured to the foremost rod and the opposite or rear edge is wound on a roller disposed on or close to the ground.

Another interesting application of this invention consists of a stand for street-and-market packman or itinerant merchant.

In this case, at least two parallel support elements comprise each a variable number of intermediate or central toggles adapted to extend circularly and arranged between a variable number of lateral toggles adapted to expand along a straight line, the number of these lateral toggles being the same on either side of the central toggles, whereby each element thus constituted is adapted to expand and form an arch, the aforesaid elements being interconnected by parallel horizontal rods carried by the pivot means disposed between adjacent toggles, the rods interconnecting the external pivot means of the toggles constituting the portion of circular arc configuration of the elements intended for supporting the protection canvas; moreover, at the proper level there are provided, on at least one of the rectilinear portions of each support elements, a pair of rods interconnecting the two pivot means located at said level and pertaining to two adjacent toggles, said last-named pair of rods being adapted to carry a display of goods or the like.

A better understanding of this invention will be had from the following description made with reference to the attached drawings illustrating diagrammatically by way of example a few typical forms of embodiment thereof. In the drawings:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a hood type blind comprising said support element shown in its open out position;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view showing the support element visible in FIG. 1 but in its folded position;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but showing the element in its open out position;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing in its partly unfolded position a support element, this element being associated with a side panel shown in its stretched condition (thick lines) and in its unstretched or slack condition (dash and dot lines);

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a tent of which the frame structure comprises the support element of this invention; FIG. 6 is a plane view from beneath of the frame structure of the tent of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows diagrammatically in lateral elevation and vertical section a frame structure for covering a swimming-pool or a greenhouse, which incorporates the support element of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing a typical itinerant merchants stand incorporating the support element of this invention;

FIG. 9 is a vertical axial section showing a semispherical tent of which the frame structure comprises support elements according to this invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The extensible support element 2 constituting the basic element of this invention comprises essentially a plurality of toggles 20 each consisting of a pair of pivotally interconnected links or arms 3, 4, each toggle having its ends pivotally connected in turn to the corresponding ends of the links of the adjacent toggle, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

Each link 3, 4 has formed therethrough along its longitudinal center line a plurality of holes 5, one of these holes 5 being positioned exactly intermediate the ends of the link, the other holes being disposed at spaced intervals on a same side of said central hole 5.

Under these conditions, if the central hole 5 is used for pivotally interconnecting the links of each toggle, a rectilinear extensible toggle arm of conventional type is obtained; on the other hand, if one or a plurality of toggles are pivoted by means of an eccentric hole, during the unfolding movement of the element a deflection will be obtained in the direction of this eccentric hole in relation to the central hole, at each toggle having an eccentric pivot.

Thus, for instance, if the same eccentric position is given to all the pivot pins interconnecting the toggle links intermediate their ends, an extensible element will be obtained which, in the unfolded or open-out position, will have a circular arc configuration, when seen in lateral elevation.

It is thus clear that this extensible element can be used in many different applications of which a few typical ones will now be described in detail.

FIG. 1 shows a blind 6 supported at its ends by a support element according to this invention which is designated generally by the reference numeral 2. The blind proper comprises a rectangular canvas 7 carried by transverse horizontal rods 8 each connecting a pivot point 9, disposed between the link 3 of one toggle of the support element and the link 4 of the next toggle, to the corresponding pivot point 9 of the opposite support element.

The front edge of the canvas 7 is attached to the rod 8 carried by the link 4 of the last toggle of each element 2, the opposite or rearmost edge of said canvas 7 being wound on a roller 10 adapted to be rotated in a manner known per se. The first toggle of each element 2 is pivoted on the one hand at the free end of its link 3 to a fixed pivot pin 12 rigid with the wall 13 to which the blind is to be mounted, and on the other hand, at the free end of its link 4, to a vertically movable pivot pin 14. This pin 14 is carried for example by a runner adapted to move within a slideway l5 and constantly urged by spring means in the upward direction. Thus, the elements 2 are constantly responsive to a force tending to keep them in their unfolded position.

In the specific example illustrated in FIG. 1 all the links 3 and 4 of toggles 2a having three holes 5 are pivoted at 16 by means of their holes 5 remotest from the middle hole of the link concerned. Thus, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, during the unfolding movement these elements 2 will unwind the canvas and assume the shape of a circular are under the action of said spring means.

Of course, the radius of this circular arc can be varied to a considerable extent by disposing the pivot pins 16 in holes more or less spaced from the middle point of their corresponding links 3, 4. It is also possible, according to the same principale, to impart to these elements 2 firstly a curved configuration followed by a rectilinear section, or vice-versa. Obviously, several shapes and combinations may thus be obtained at will.

In case these blinds were equipped with lateral panels as shown at 17 in FIG. 4, these may be carried by means of eyelets l9 engaged on stub extensions of rods 8. However, when the blind is not fully expanded or unfolded these panel 17 show insightly folds between adjacent rods 8. These folds can be eliminated by using a small cord l8 running along and through the upper edge of the panel of which they engage the eyelets 19 as well as other eyelets 119a each disposed in the vicinity of the upper edge of said panel and centrally of the canvas section extending between adjacent rods 8.

As the cord 18 is constantly stretched by known means (not shown) the side panels 17 will have a better appearance, as clearly shown in FIG. 4, in which two panels, i.e., a stretched one thick lines and a slack one dash and dot lines, are superposed.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate another application of this support element wherein the latter is extended to provide a circular configuration, the ends of the elements being interconnected to constitute a spider 20 wherein the number of links 200 corresponds to the number of toggles 2a, i.e., six in the example illustrated. In this application the element 2 is disposed horizontally and a complementary frame 22 comprising six metal bars or like member 22a interconnected at one end and having their other ends secured to the links 20a of spider 20, respectively, as shown in FIG. 6. Thus, this armature converges upwards and is adapted to carry a protection canvas 23 of cap-like configuration.

The spider 20 and frame 22 are carried by at least three legs 24 secured to the ends of three suitably selected links 20a. The resulting construction is provided preferably with a wall-forming lateral canvas 25 having an opening in order to constitute a shelter for use as a tent, a beach cabin, a fishermans shelter, or other construction.

FIG. 7 shows the support element 2 in the specific case of its application for supporting the shade of a greenhouse, the cover or collapsible roof of a swimming-pool, ofa playground or the like. In this case, the pivot means 116 of toggles 2a are also disposed with a view to cause the element 2 to be unfolded along a circular or curved path; in other words, all the pivot means are equally spaced from the middle point of links 3 ans 4 of each toggle. This distance is variable or, otherwise stated, the holes 5 utilized can be more or less remote from the middle point of said links 3, 4 according as it is desired to unfold the extensible element or elements 2 with a smaller or longer radius with due consideration for the size of the aforesaid links 3 and 4.

At least two such elements are disposed in parallel relationship and interconnected by bars 8a supporting the protection cover 7a consisting preferably of translucent material.

FIG. 8 shows the application of this element to the construction of a stand for itinerant merchant or the like. In this example the stand 26 comprises at least two parallel support elements 2 each consisting of seven toggles 2a.

The first and last pairs of toggles of each element 2 comprise each two links 3, 4 pivotally interconnected intermediate their ends, the pivot means 16 of the tree central toggles being shifted in the same direction so as to constitute a vault" in their open out condition.

This vault is extended vertically at its two ends by means of end toggles expanding in a straight direction.

Thus, each unfolded or expanded element has substantially the appearance of a bow bearing with its ends on the ground, the two parallel support elements being interconnected by means of transverse rods 8b.

The transverse rods 8b located at A and B and those positionned at C and D are advantageously utilized for supporting a display 27, 28, respectively, as shown in FIG. 8, so that the merchant can exhibit his goods; furthermore, the merchant can move freely between the two display benches 27, 28, the stand being partially covered in a zone comprising for example the three central toggles. Obviously, in addition to its functional properties, this stand is advantageous in that it can be erected and collapsed very rapidly.

FIG. 9 illustrates another form of embodiment of the support element of this invention. In this example at least three, but preferably four or five, elements 2, are carried at one of their ends by the upper end of a pole 29 of which the lower end bears on the ground.

The pivot means 16 of the toggles of these elements 2 are so positioned that these elements when unfolded form a circular arc and bear with their outer or free ends on the ground, as shown in FIG. 9. A canvas 7b of suitable shape and material covers the elements thus unfolded to provide a shelter for camping or other applications centrally of this shelter the pole 29 can subsquently be collapsed, especially if a telescopic pole is used, and the ends of the elements 2 which bear on the ground are firmly held in position by means of pegs, as shown.

Of course, as will be readily inferred from the foregoing the present invention should not be construed as being limited by the specific forms of embodiment and applications of the extensible support element which have been described and illustrated herein, since many modifications may be brought thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

ll. Extensible support element for protection canvas, of the type comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected toggle links, each pair of toggle links having a common pivot means, the common pivot means of the two links of each of the toggles being shiftable by a same value and in the same direction along the length of said links in relation to the longitudinal middle point of said two links.

2. Support element as set forth in claim 1, wherein a plurality of positions are provided on each toggle link for said pivot means, whereby the shape of the unfolded support element can be varied at will within relatively wide limite.

3. Blind of the so-called hood type comprising at least two support elements as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support elements are parallel and interconnected at the level of the pivot means connecting each toggle to the adjacent toggle through horizontal rods supporting the canvas, said canvas being secured along its front edge to the foremost transverse rods and wound at its rear end on a roller carried by the wall to which the blind is secured by pivotally fastening thereto the rear end of each support element.

4. Blind as set forth in claim 3 comprising a pair of lateral panels secured along their upper edge to the upper pivot means interconnecting said toggles, wherein said upper edge further receives therethrough, in the section extending between adjacent pivot means, a small cord to which a constant tension is applied through means known per se, in order to improve the appearance of said panel when the blind is not fully extended.

5. Habitable tent for miscellaneous uses, of which the frame structure consists partly of a support element as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support element comprises at least three, and preferably four, five or sixtoggles, wherein all the pivot means interconnecting their links are shifted by a same value and in the same direction in relation to the middle point of said links, whereby the support element is adapted when open out to assume an arcuate configuration and to provide a spider-shaped structure when the ends of said element are interconnected at a common point, the number of arms of said spider corresponding to the number of toggles constituting it, said support element being disposed horizontally and receiving on the one hand a set of rods each secured at one end to the point of one of the arms of said spider which are interconnected at their other ends, so as to constitute a upward convergent structure adapted to receive a cap-shaped canvas covering, and on the other hand a supporting structure comprising at least three legs supporting the assembly, the support element being furthermore adapted to receive a vertical peripheral canvas.

6. Habitable tent of which the frame structure comprises at least three support elements as set forth in claim 1, wherein each support element is carried by the upper end of a vertical pole and adapted to be unfolded radially in relation to said pole while describing a circular are lying in a vertical plane until their free ends bear 0n the ground, whereby they constitute a dome or vault-shaped frame structure of substantially semispherical configuration capable of receiving a suitable canvas thereon.

7. Frame structure for supporting the cover of a swimming-pool, a greehouse shade, or the like, which comprises at least two support elements of the type set forth in claim 1, wherein the pivot means of at least certain toggles of the support element are shifted by the same value and in the same direction, whereby said element is adapted, when open out to assume an arcuate configuration at least two support elements of this type being disposed in parallel relationship and interconnected by horizontal parallel rods carried by the upper pivot means from one toggle to another, respectively, said rods supporting the cover, preferably of translucent material, of which the front edge is secured to the foremost rod and the opposite edge is wound on a roller located close to the ground.

8. An itinerant merchants stand comprising a frame structure incorporating at least two support elements as set forth in claim 1, wherein said two support elements comprise each a variable number of central toggles adapted in their open-out condition to form an arcuate arm and positioned between a variable number of lateral toggles adapted in their open-out condition to form a straight arm whereby each support element thus constituted forms a kind of arch in its extended condition, the two support elements thus formed being interconnected by horizontal parallel rods carried by the pivot means interconnecting adjacent toggles, the rods interconnecting the external pivot means of said toggles in the arcuate section of the elements being adapted to support a protection canvas, and at the desired level there is provided on a least one of the straight section of each support element a pair of horizontal bars interconnecting the pair of pivot means located at this level of two adjacent toggles, for supporting a display of goods. 

1. Extensible support element for protection canvas, of the type comprising a plurality of pivotally interconnected toggle links, each pair of toggle links having a common pivot means, the common pivot means of the two links of each of the toggles being shiftable by a same value and in the same direction along the length of said links in relation to the longitudinal middle point of said two links.
 2. Support element as set forth in claim 1, wherein a plurality of positions are provided on each toggle link for said pivot means, whereby the shape of the unfolded support element can be varied at will within relatively wide limite.
 3. Blind of the so-called ''''hood'''' type comprising at least two support elements as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support elements are parallel and interconnected at the level of the pivot means connecting each toggle to the adjacent toggle through horizontal rods supporting the canvas, said canvas being secured along its front edge to the foremost transverse rods and wound at its rear end on a roller carried by the wall to which the blind is secured by pivotally fastening thereto the rear end of each support element.
 4. Blind as set forth in claim 3 comprising a pair of lateral panels secured along their upper edge to the upper pivot means interconnecting said toggles, wherein said upper edge further receives therethrough, in the section extending between adjacent pivot means, a small cord to which a constant tension is applied through means known per se, in order to improve the appearance of said panel when the blind is not fully extended.
 5. Habitable tent for miscellaneous uses, of which the frame structure consists partly of a support element as set forth in claim 1, wherein said support element comprises at least three, and preferably four, five or six toggles, wherein all the pivot means interconnecting their links are shifted by a same value and in the same direction in relation to the middle point of said links, whereby the support element is adapted when open out to assume an arcuate configuration and to provide a spider-shaped structure when the ends of said element are interconnected at a common point, the number of arms of said spider corresponding to the number of toggles constituting it, said support element being disposed horizontally and receiving on the one hand a set of rods each secured at one end to the point of one of the arms of said spider which are interconnected at their other ends, so as to constitute a upward convergent structure adapted to receive a cap-shaped canvas covering, and on the other hand a supporting structure comprising at least three legs supporting the assembly, the support element being furthermore adapted to receive a vertical peripheral canvas.
 6. Habitable tent of which the frame structure comprises at least three support elements as set forth in claim 1, wherein each support element is carried by the upper end of a vertical pole and adapted to be unfolded radially in relation to said pole while describing a circular arc lying in a vertical plane until their free ends bear on the ground, whereby they constitute a dome or vault-shaped frame structure of substantially semispherical configuration capable of receiving a suitable canvas thereon.
 7. Frame structure for supporting the cover of a swimming-pool, a greehouse shade, or the like, which comprises at least two support elements of the type set forth in claim 1, wherein the pivot means of at least certain toggles of the support element are shifted by the same value and in the same direction, whereby said element is adapted, when open out to assume an arcuate configuration at least two suppOrt elements of this type being disposed in parallel relationship and interconnected by horizontal parallel rods carried by the upper pivot means from one toggle to another, respectively, said rods supporting the cover, preferably of translucent material, of which the front edge is secured to the foremost rod and the opposite edge is wound on a roller located close to the ground.
 8. An itinerant merchant''s stand comprising a frame structure incorporating at least two support elements as set forth in claim 1, wherein said two support elements comprise each a variable number of central toggles adapted in their open-out condition to form an arcuate arm and positioned between a variable number of lateral toggles adapted in their open-out condition to form a straight arm whereby each support element thus constituted forms a kind of arch in its extended condition, the two support elements thus formed being interconnected by horizontal parallel rods carried by the pivot means interconnecting adjacent toggles, the rods interconnecting the external pivot means of said toggles in the arcuate section of the elements being adapted to support a protection canvas, and at the desired level there is provided on a least one of the straight section of each support element a pair of horizontal bars interconnecting the pair of pivot means located at this level of two adjacent toggles, for supporting a display of goods. 